The 78-year-old singer was abruptly hustled out of the Riverside Theater in the middle of her performance by three guys dressed completely in black. Her band followed shortly after. Before being led backstage, LaBelle was heard yelling “Hold up” in video footage posted online.
LaBelle’s postponement was due to a bomb threat, as the event organizer, Pabst Theater Group, later stated on social media. “Working with the artist to reschedule the concert,” the organizer claimed they are doing right now.
According to a statement sent to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Milwaukee Police Capt. Warren E. Allen Jr., “about the bomb alert in the 100 block of W. Wisconsin, all guests have been safely evacuated.” “At this moment, police are evacuating the building. The inquiry is dynamic and continuing.”
The MPD said, “K9 units searched the structure. There were no explosive devices found. At this point, the general public is not in danger.”
LaBelle can be seen in a fan-shot video escorted off the stage by security while yelling, “Wait!” as the microphone is snatched from her hands.
The Riverside Theater claims to be coordinating a new date for the performance with LaBelle. The Milwaukee Police Department and LaBelle’s representatives did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.
